Your Chapter
Our vision embodies the determination to take action and the desire to promote togetherness, unity, social responsibility and progress.

About Your Chapter

Our vision embodies the determination to take action and the desire to promote togetherness, unity, social responsibility and progress. By representing you, our community, it is important that you keep us informed of your needs as a member of the Druze faith, and of the challenges that may be facing you as a family. Your concerns and feedback are always welcome and will certainly be addressed. Your involvement in this society is crucial for its growth and prosperity. We owe it to our children to provide them with a solid community of friends and family with whom they can interact, share, and learn. Your support and trust in our abilities as a Board is what we respectfully ask for. Together we can work side by side for the betterment of our great society.

Amid Kasamani

President

Amid moved to the United States over 22 years ago, and graduated from George Mason University in Virginia with a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems and a Computer Science minor. He then acquired his Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, from George Washington University.

He currently works at a federal contracting firm in the Washington D.C. area, through which he proudly supports the U.S. government as an IT Program Manager.

Amid is an active member of the Washington DC community who served as a board member on the Chapter’s board from 2009 – 2011 and most recently as a Vice President from 2019 – 2021. He also served on the ADS National Board as the ADYA National Director from 2010 – 2013. In addition, Amid was on the Convention Executive Committee and helped plan five National Conventions from 2009 – 2013. Throughout his service, he helped establish and support the American Druze Young Adults (ADYA) vision of energizing the youth across the nation by developing programs that focus on professional networking, educational support, charity involvement, and leadership development.

He is married to his lovely wife, Sara El-Hakim, and is a proud father of his sons, Theo and Jude.

Samar Abilmona

Vice President

Samar Fayad Abilmona born in Lebanon, and moved to Virginia during High School age in mid 70s. She was married to late Hassan Abilmona and raised a family of four loving children: Shadi, Zeina, Sandra, and Sally.
 

She achieved certificates in Office Administration at NOVA and TV & Radio Announcing at Columbia School of Broadcasting. Professionally, she is known as Summer Belman and has achieved multiple awards during hotel sales management positions in DC and was an active member of NTA, SGMP, CMP & DC CVB since 2005 until March 2020 when business was shut down due to COVID-19.

 

Samar has been an active member of the ADS DC Chapter since the early 80s and served one term as VP then as Committee Chair of the outing event (Odyssey Cruise) during the ADS National Convention in 2009. She is very passionate about family ties and dream of having a large community that enjoys great cultural, educational, and fun events in an ADS community center in the near future.

Dr. Ronny Sangid

Past President

Dr. Ronny Sangid was born in Lebanon but moved to Richmond, Virginia at a young age to complete his studies. After graduating from VCU Dental School, he moved up to Northern Virginia where he has been living for the past thirty-one years. Ronny is married and has four children who are all honored to be apart of the Druze community.  

 

Adham sABEK

Secretary

Adham was born in Lebanon but was raised in Kuwait most of his childhood then went back to Lebanon and graduated from Notre Dame University with a degree in Finance and Banking. He got about 5 years of experience before deciding to move to the USA in 2017 for a new challenge and got his MBA. Currently, he works as a Management Analyst at BFS Benefits and is also an Associate Financial Advisor affiliated with New York Life Insurance in Tysons, Virginia. 

Adham has attended numerous ADS functions since moving to DC and is a proud member of the Druze community no matter where his next adventure takes him.

 

Nada Abdul-Baki Charafeddine

Treasurer

Nada was born in Lebanon and moved to the USA at the age of 18. She graduated from the University of Missouri, with a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a double major in Finance & Economics.  She continued for a MBA degree in Finance and another Master’s degree in Accountancy, both from The George Washington University. 

Nada worked in the field of investment banking as a Finance Associate at Middle East Capital Group and Gulf Finance Corporation in Beirut, Lebanon. In addition, she held a Sr. Financial Analyst position at Purdue University Investment Office.  

Nada has been an active member of the ADS DC Chapter for numerous years. She organized and presented two Junior Achievement Financial Literacy Workshops for the young youth and helped coordinate youth activities at the DC Convention. In addition, Nada is an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary, assisting with fund raising projects and speaker events related to women’s health and the arts.

Nada, the daughter of the late Dr. Assaad & Mrs. Wafia Abdul-Baki, is married to Dr. Riad Charafeddine and blessed with two lovely children, Ziad and Aida. She is committed to the continued success and progress of the ADS DC Chapter.   

Alia Ismail

ADYA Director

Alia Ismail was born in Lebanon and came to the U.S. at the young age of 7. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and now lives in Springfield with her family. She attended George Mason University for a B.S in Neuroscience and Keiser University in Florida for her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She is currently working as a Physician Assistant in Internal Medicine and Urgent Care. 

Alia has attended ADS functions since a very young age, including tri-state and National conventions. She is very excited to pay back her dues to the Druze community now and serve as the ADYA Director for the D.C. Chapter. Her goal is to motivate and entice all the young adults in our community and nearby Chapters to gather through multiple events and activities.

Sarah Ayass

ADYA Vice Director

 Sarah Ayass is an American born Lebanese woman who is currently still a student studying English in George Mason University. She considers herself an activist who will always stand for marginalized people and causes. She has been attending ADS Events since she moved back to the U.S. in 2015. Her goal is to be inclusive as possible to encourage young youth to create a bigger community where all druze youth are welcome.

 

Amal Fayad

Board Member

Amal Halabi Fayad was born in Mtein North of Lebanon. She is married to Moufid Fayad from Sofar, Lebanon. Amal has a son named Michael who is 13 years old. Amal came to the United States of America in 2006. Her first job was working in child care in order to be with her son. Currently she is an Assistant Cafeteria Manager at the Spotsylvania County School.

Amal is a very energetic person who loves to live life to the fullest. She loves to bring people together. She is proud to be part of the board of the ADS Chapter of Washington D.C. 

Ghassan khalek

Board Member

Ghassan was born in Lebanon and moved to the U.S. in 1972. He graduated from George Washington University in 1980 with B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He then acquired his master’s degree in Engineering Management in 1984. Ghassan currently works for the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and has been there since 1984.

Ghassan has been an ADS member for the past 48 years. He attended over seventeen ADS conventions, the first being in West Virginia in 1975. Ghassan held several positions on the Washington DC Chapter Board in the past including President and Vice President. In addition, he previously served on the ADS National Board for four years.

Ghassan is married to Iman Khalek and has two children, Ronny and Lara.

Rasha Obaid

Board Member

Rasha Obaid is a community organizer and co-founder of Syriana Café and Gallery, a cultural restaurant in Ellicott City, MD focused on empowering Syrian refugees and preserving Syrian culture. She believes in the value of cherishing the various aspects of our identities and build bridges with others along them. As a descendant of Swaida, Syria, Rasha has been active in supporting efforts to bring together the Swaida community around their shared regional cultural heritage through the Swaida American Society (SAS). Similarly, as a proud Druze, Rasha joined the ADS DC Chapter, hoping to serve the American Druze community in the DC area by supporting its outreach efforts and help organize activities to bring the community closer.